Table of Contents

Component Description

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the United States. Cervical infection with certain types of HPV is a major risk factor for cervical cancer in women. NHANES offers a unique opportunity to assess the prevalence of HPV infection in the general population and the impact of HPV vaccination.

HPV vaccination was introduced in the national immunization program for females in 2006 and for males in 2011. Reducing infections of HPV types prevented by the vaccine in young adults and increasing the proportion of vaccinated adolescents for HPV are both Healthy People 2030 objectives. Knowledge of the national prevalence of HPV infection is critical for planning vaccination strategies and monitoring the impact of vaccination in the United States. Seroprevalence reflects current and past exposure as well as vaccine-induced antibody and can provide important information about HPV epidemiology and vaccination.

Qualitative results on the presence of antibodies specific for HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 have been previously reported using a different serologic assay for NHANES 2005-2006 participants ages 14-17 (HPVM_D_R) and 18-59 years (HPVSRM_D). These 9 HPV types are the ones prevented by the 9-valent vaccine available in the U.S. since 2015. The current dataset provides data from an updated assay with both qualitative and quantitative results on antibodies to these HPV types.

Eligible Sample

Examined participants aged 14 to 59 years were eligible.

Description of Laboratory Methodology

M9ELISA is a newly developed assay for the detection of 9 HPV types, which includes both qualitative and quantitative results.

M9ELISA allows for simultaneous detection of antibodies to HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 in one microwell (Panicker et.al. 2021). Virus-like particles (VLP), self-assembled HPV L1+L2 protein capsids that resemble intact virions, are used as antigen in the assay. HPV-type specific antibodies present in test samples will bind to type-specific conformational epitopes on the VLPs adsorbed onto the surface of the microwell. Bound human IgG is detected with a biotinylated anti-Human IgG followed by Streptavidin SulfoTAGTM using electrochemiluminescent detection on the Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) plate reader that generates relative light units (RLU). The amount of antibodies in the sample is estimated relative to a reference sample using the parallel line method. Samples are scored as positive or negative using a pre-determined “cut-off” level. The assay is used for research purposes and does not have a clinical relevance.  

Refer to the Laboratory Method Files section for a detailed description of the laboratory methods used

Laboratory Method Files

M9ELISA – Multiplexed VLP-based IgG ELISA on the Meso Scale Discovery Platform Lab Procedure Manual (January 2023)

Laboratory Quality Assurance and Monitoring

Serum samples were processed, stored, and shipped to the Chronic Viral Diseases Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA for analysis.

Detailed instructions on specimen collection and processing are discussed in the NHANES Laboratory Procedures Manual (LPM). Vials were stored under appropriate frozen conditions (-20°C) until they were shipped to the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases for testing. The M9ELISA was conducted in HPV Immunology lab at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The NHANES quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) protocols meet the 1988 Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments mandates. Detailed QA/QC instructions are discussed in the NHANES LPM.

Mobile Examination Centers (MECs)

Laboratory team performance is monitored using several techniques. NCHS and contract consultants use a structured competency assessment evaluation during visits to evaluate both the quality of the laboratory work and the QC procedures. Each laboratory staff member is observed for equipment operation, specimen collection and preparation; testing procedures and constructive feedback are given to each staff member. Formal retraining sessions are conducted annually to ensure that required skill levels were maintained.

Analytical Laboratories

NHANES uses several methods to monitor the quality of the analyses performed by the contract laboratories. In the MEC, these methods include performing blind split samples collected on “dry run” sessions. In addition, contract laboratories randomly perform repeat testing on 2% of all specimens.

NCHS developed and distributed a QC protocol for all CDC and contract laboratories, which outlined the use of Westgard rules (Westgard et al., 1981) when running NHANES specimens. Progress reports containing any problems encountered during shipping or receipt of specimens and any special considerations are submitted to NCHS. The reports are reviewed for trends or shifts in the data. The laboratories are required to explain any identified areas of concern.

Data Processing and Editing

The data were reviewed. Incomplete data or improbable values were sent to the performing laboratory for confirmation.

Analytic Notes

Refer to the 2005-2006 Laboratory Data Overview for general information on NHANES laboratory data.

There are over 800 laboratory tests performed on NHANES participants. However, not all participants provided biospecimens or enough volume for all the tests to be performed. The specimen availability can also vary by age or other population characteristics. Analysts should evaluate the extent of missing data in the dataset related to the outcome of interest as well as any predictor variables used in the analyses to determine whether additional re-weighting for item non-response is necessary.

Please refer to the NHANES Analytic Guidelines and the on-line NHANES Tutorial for details on the use of sample weights and other analytic issues.

Sample Weights

MEC exam sample weights should be used for analyses.

Demographic and Other Related Variables

The analysis of NHANES 2005-2006 laboratory data must be conducted using the appropriate survey design and demographic variables. The NHANES 2005-2006 Demographics File contains demographic data, health indicators, and other related information collected during household interviews as well as the sample design variables. The recommended procedure for variance estimation requires use of stratum and PSU variables (SDMVSTRA and SDMVPSU, respectively) in the demographic data file.

This laboratory data file can be linked to the other NHANES data files using the unique survey participant identifier (i.e., SEQN).

Detection Limits

Two variables are provided for each of these analytes. The variable name ending in “LC” (ex., LBD96NLC) indicates whether the result was below the limit of detection: the value “0” means that the result was at or above the limit of detection, “1” indicates that the result was below the limit of detection. For analytes with analytic results below the lower limit of detection (ex. LBD96NLC =1), an imputed fill value was placed in the analyte results field. This value is the lower limit of detection divided by the square root of 2 (LLOD/sqrt[2]). The other variable prefixed “LBX” and ended with letter “N” (ex., LBX9M6N) provides the quantitative analytic result for the analyte.

The lower limit of detection (LLOD, in units) for HPV antibody 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, & 58 are:

VARIABLE ANALYTE NAME LLOD
LBX9M6N HPV 6 (Quantitative) 0.2 AU/ml
LBX9M11N HPV 11 (Quantitative) 0.4 AU/ml
LBX9M16N HPV 16 (Quantitative) 1.0 IU/ml
LBX9M18N HPV 18 (Quantitative) 0.3 IU/ml
LBX9M31N HPV 31 (Quantitative) 1.6 AU/ml
LBX9M33N HPV 33 (Quantitative) 3.0 AU/ml
LBX9M45N HPV 45 (Quantitative) 2.3 AU/ml
LBX9M52N HPV 52 (Quantitative) 1.6 AU/ml
LBX9M58N HPV 58 (Quantitative) 2.2 AU/ml

Note: LLOD – lower limit of detection; IU/ml – International Units/milliliter; AU/ml – Arbitrary Units/milliliter

Serostatus cut-off value

The qualitative results for the analytes are provided in variables prefixed “LBX” (without letter “N” at the end; ex., LBX9M6). Serostatus cut-off value for a positive result for each HPV analyte was established as below. An antibody titer below this value is coded as negative and a value equal or above is considered positive.

VARIABLE ANALYTE NAME SEROSTATUS CUT-OFF VALUE
LBX9M6 HPV 6 (Qualitative) 0.7 AU/ml
LBX9M11 HPV 11 (Qualitative) 0.8 AU/ml
LBX9M16 HPV 16 (Qualitative) 1.3 IU/ml
LBX9M18 HPV 18 (Qualitative) 2.9 IU/ml
LBX9M31 HPV 31 (Qualitative) 3.9 AU/ml
LBX9M33 HPV 33 (Qualitative) 5.7 AU/ml
LBX9M45 HPV 45 (Qualitative) 8.3 AU/ml
LBX9M52 HPV 52 (Qualitative) 2.3 AU/ml
LBX9M58 HPV 58 (Qualitative) 7.1 AU/ml

Note: IU/ml – International Units/milliliter; AU/ml – Arbitrary Units/milliliter

References

Codebook and Frequencies

SEQN - Respondent sequence number

Variable Name:
SEQN
SAS Label:
Respondent sequence number
English Text:
Respondent sequence number.
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS

LBX9M6N - HPV 6 (Quantitative)

Variable Name:
LBX9M6N
SAS Label:
HPV 6 (Quantitative)
English Text:
HPV 6 (Quantitative)
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0.1 to 76.6 Range of Values 4428 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBD96NLC - HPV 6 (Quantitative) comment code

Variable Name:
LBD96NLC
SAS Label:
HPV 6 (Quantitative) comment code
English Text:
HPV 6 (Quantitative) comment code
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 At or above the detection limit 1991 1991
1 Below lower detection limit 2437 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBX9M11N - HPV 11 (Quantitative)

Variable Name:
LBX9M11N
SAS Label:
HPV 11 (Quantitative)
English Text:
HPV 11 (Quantitative)
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0.3 to 149 Range of Values 4428 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBD911LC - HPV 11 (Quantitative) comment code

Variable Name:
LBD911LC
SAS Label:
HPV 11 (Quantitative) comment code
English Text:
HPV 11 (Quantitative) comment code
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 At or above the detection limit 727 727
1 Below lower detection limit 3701 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBX9M16N - HPV 16 (Quantitative)

Variable Name:
LBX9M16N
SAS Label:
HPV 16 (Quantitative)
English Text:
HPV 16 (Quantitative)
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0.7 to 175 Range of Values 4428 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBD916LC - HPV 16 (Quantitative) comment code

Variable Name:
LBD916LC
SAS Label:
HPV 16 (Quantitative) comment code
English Text:
HPV 16 (Quantitative) comment code
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 At or above the detection limit 1182 1182
1 Below lower detection limit 3246 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBX9M18N - HPV 18 (Quantitative)

Variable Name:
LBX9M18N
SAS Label:
HPV 18 (Quantitative)
English Text:
HPV 18 (Quantitative)
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0.2 to 161 Range of Values 4428 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBD918LC - HPV 18 (Quantitative) comment code

Variable Name:
LBD918LC
SAS Label:
HPV 18 (Quantitative) comment code
English Text:
HPV 18 (Quantitative) comment code
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 At or above the detection limit 3163 3163
1 Below lower detection limit 1265 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBX9M31N - HPV 31 (Quantitative)

Variable Name:
LBX9M31N
SAS Label:
HPV 31 (Quantitative)
English Text:
HPV 31 (Quantitative)
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1.1 to 264 Range of Values 4428 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBD931LC - HPV 31 (Quantitative) comment code

Variable Name:
LBD931LC
SAS Label:
HPV 31 (Quantitative) comment code
English Text:
HPV 31 (Quantitative) comment code
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 At or above the detection limit 677 677
1 Below lower detection limit 3751 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBX9M33N - HPV 33 (Quantitative)

Variable Name:
LBX9M33N
SAS Label:
HPV 33 (Quantitative)
English Text:
HPV 33 (Quantitative)
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
2.1 to 391 Range of Values 4428 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBD933LC - HPV 33 (Quantitative) comment code

Variable Name:
LBD933LC
SAS Label:
HPV 33 (Quantitative) comment code
English Text:
HPV 33 (Quantitative) comment code
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 At or above the detection limit 496 496
1 Below lower detection limit 3932 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBX9M45N - HPV 45 (Quantitative)

Variable Name:
LBX9M45N
SAS Label:
HPV 45 (Quantitative)
English Text:
HPV 45 (Quantitative)
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1.6 to 617.1 Range of Values 4428 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBD945LC - HPV 45 (Quantitative) comment code

Variable Name:
LBD945LC
SAS Label:
HPV 45 (Quantitative) comment code
English Text:
HPV 45 (Quantitative) comment code
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 At or above the detection limit 624 624
1 Below lower detection limit 3804 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBX9M52N - HPV 52 (Quantitative)

Variable Name:
LBX9M52N
SAS Label:
HPV 52 (Quantitative)
English Text:
HPV 52 (Quantitative)
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1.1 to 256.1 Range of Values 4428 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBD952LC - HPV 52 (Quantitative) comment code

Variable Name:
LBD952LC
SAS Label:
HPV 52 (Quantitative) comment code
English Text:
HPV 52 (Quantitative) comment code
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 At or above the detection limit 539 539
1 Below lower detection limit 3889 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBX9M58N - HPV 58 (Quantitative)

Variable Name:
LBX9M58N
SAS Label:
HPV 58 (Quantitative)
English Text:
HPV 58 (Quantitative)
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1.6 to 784.7 Range of Values 4428 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBD958LC - HPV 58 (Quantitative) comment code

Variable Name:
LBD958LC
SAS Label:
HPV 58 (Quantitative) comment code
English Text:
HPV 58 (Quantitative) comment code
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 At or above the detection limit 532 532
1 Below lower detection limit 3896 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBX9M6 - HPV6 9-plex coded result

Variable Name:
LBX9M6
SAS Label:
HPV6 9-plex coded result
English Text:
HPV6 9-plex coded result
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Positive 756 756
2 Negative 3672 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBX9M11 - HPV11 9-plex coded result

Variable Name:
LBX9M11
SAS Label:
HPV11 9-plex coded result
English Text:
HPV11 9-plex coded result
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Positive 377 377
2 Negative 4051 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBX9M16 - HPV16 9-plex coded result

Variable Name:
LBX9M16
SAS Label:
HPV16 9-plex coded result
English Text:
HPV16 9-plex coded result
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Positive 919 919
2 Negative 3509 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBX9M18 - HPV18 9-plex coded result

Variable Name:
LBX9M18
SAS Label:
HPV18 9-plex coded result
English Text:
HPV18 9-plex coded result
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Positive 326 326
2 Negative 4102 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBX9M31 - HPV31 9-plex coded result

Variable Name:
LBX9M31
SAS Label:
HPV31 9-plex coded result
English Text:
HPV31 9-plex coded result
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Positive 272 272
2 Negative 4156 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBX9M33 - HPV33 9-plex coded result

Variable Name:
LBX9M33
SAS Label:
HPV33 9-plex coded result
English Text:
HPV33 9-plex coded result
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Positive 239 239
2 Negative 4189 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBX9M45 - HPV45 9-plex coded result

Variable Name:
LBX9M45
SAS Label:
HPV45 9-plex coded result
English Text:
HPV45 9-plex coded result
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Positive 146 146
2 Negative 4282 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBX9M52 - HPV52 9-plex coded result

Variable Name:
LBX9M52
SAS Label:
HPV52 9-plex coded result
English Text:
HPV52 9-plex coded result
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Positive 393 393
2 Negative 4035 4428
. Missing 515 4943

LBX9M58 - HPV58 9-plex coded result

Variable Name:
LBX9M58
SAS Label:
HPV58 9-plex coded result
English Text:
HPV58 9-plex coded result
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Positive 209 209
2 Negative 4219 4428
. Missing 515 4943